Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
After 24 burgers were delivered for a joint lunch with the Forestry Owners Association, the Board of Federated Farmers has given its thumbs-up to McDonald's Serious Lamb Burger.
"As a beef farmer who supplies Angus beef for McDonald's, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their Serious Lamb Burger," commented Federated Farmers President, Bruce Wills.
"My first impression of the burger is that it is huge and looks exactly like what's on the box
"When you bite into it, you unmistakably taste lamb and realise just how much effort McDonald's has put into cracking a difficult meat to cook. They have nailed the perfect lamb burger using export quality New Zealand lamb.
"You can say we have now given the burgers a serious workout with our taste buds.
"To me it is a complete meal. You've got egg, tomato, rocket and beetroot with a sauce that enhances the flavour of lamb. After eating one, you certainly feel rewarded.
"The Board of Federated Farmers is genuinely enthused with what McDonald's is doing for Kiwi lamb.
"When you drive past any McDonald's you see lamb written loud and proud. As a sheep farmer it is heartening, especially given the latest schedule prices.
"These burgers and snack wraps are a great way of turning on a new generation's taste buds to what lamb is and could be. That to us is the big positive of McDonald's involvement," Wills concluded.
The closure of the McCain processing plant and the recent announcement of 300 job losses at Wattie’s underscore the mounting pressure facing New Zealand’s manufacturing sector, Buy NZ Made says.
Specialist agriculture lender Oxbury has entered the New Zealand market, offering livestock finance to farmers.
New research suggests Aotearoa New Zealand farmers are broadly matching phosphorus fertiliser use to the needs of their soils, helping maintain relatively stable nutrient levels across the country’s agricultural land.
Helensville farmers, Donald and Kirsten Watson of Moreland Pastoral, have been named the Auckland Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Marc and Megan Lalich were named 2026 Share Farmers of the Year at last night's Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Industry Awards.
William John Poole, a third year Agribusiness student at Massey University, has been awarded the Dr Warren Parker and Pāmu Scholarship.

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